- Hong Kong First Division League
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Hong Kong First Division League Countries Hong Kong Confederation AFC Founded 1908 Number of teams 10 Levels on pyramid 1 Relegation to Hong Kong Second Division Domestic cup(s) Hong Kong Senior Shield
Hong Kong FA Cup
Hong Kong League CupInternational cup(s) AFC Cup Current champions Kitchee
(2010–11)Most championships South China (40) Website http://www.hkfa.com/en/ 
2011–12 seasonHong Kong First Division League (Chinese: 香港甲組聯賽) is the top division football league in Hong Kong which was established in 1908, the oldest in Asia. It does not affiliate to any football leagues in the People's Republic of China.
Contents
Competition format
- Each team plays the other teams twice, one home and one away game. The ticket profits go to the home team. If there are two matches in the same stadium on the day, the profits are shared between the two home teams.
- Since most of the teams do not have a home ground, the games are mostly played in Hong Kong Stadium or Mongkok Stadium. It happens that one team plays their home games in both stadiums in the same season.
- The bottom two teams are relegated to the Hong Kong Second Division League.
- Each season, HKFA decides the maximum number of foreign and mainland Chinese players each club can have and how many can play in each game. This season, a maximum of 7 foreign players (mainland Chinese players included) can be registered for a team, where no more than 5 of them could be played simultaneously on the pitch, with 1 more can be placed as substitutes.
Exceptions
There were two teams, The Army and The Police, that are not required to be relegated. The league explained that soldiers in The Army team were frequently redeployed to another country and hence it was very difficult to establish teamwork. The Police team were not required to be relegated as they supply the venue Police Sports and Recreation Club for the league.
Another relegation exception was made to South China Athletic Association during the 2006/07 season. The Hong Kong Football Association approved a request from South China to remain in the first division on June 14, 2006.[1] The reason for exception was not disclosed. The public believed that this application was allowed probably because South China has a long history in the First Division League and it would otherwise be humiliating for the club to be relegated to the Second Division. Another reason is that other football clubs rely on the large fan base of South China to generate revenues. Relegation would have resulted in a lose-lose situation for all sides.
Stadia
As Hong Kong is a small place, most clubs do not have space to build home stadiums. Even if they have their own training ground (as in the case of South China), the league matches are played elsewhere. The First Division League games are usually played in Hong Kong Stadium or Mong Kok Stadium.
List of football facilities used in season 2008–09:
The following table is a list of stadiums of the clubs in 2011/2012.
Team Stadium Capacity Biu Chun Rangers Tsing Yi Sports Ground 6,680 Citizen Mong Kok Stadium 6,680 Hong Kong Sapling Kowloon Bay Park 1,200 Kitchee Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground 3,500 NT Realty Wofoo Tai Po Tai Po Sports Ground 3,000 Sham Shui Po Sham Shui Po Sports Ground 2,194 South China Hong Kong Stadium 40,000 Sun Hei Mong Kok Stadium 6,680 TSW Pegasus Yuen Long Stadium 4,932 Tuen Mun Tuen Mun Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground 2,200 1As Mutual has withdrawn from 2011–12 Hong Kong First Division League, Hong Kong Sapling is formed to replace.
Competing clubs
2011–12 season
The following 10 clubs are competing in the Hong Kong First Division League during the 2011–12 season.
Club Position
in 2010–11First season in
top divisionLast title Biu Chun Rangers 7th 2008–09 n/a Citizen 6th 2004–05 n/a Hong Kong Sapling n/a n/a n/a Kitchee 1st 1947–48 2010–11 NT Realty Wofoo Tai Po 5th 2006–07 n/a Sham Shui Po 1st, Second Division n/a n/a South China 2nd 1918–19 2009–10 Sun Hei 4th 1994–95 2004–05 TSW Pegasus 3rd 2008–09 n/a Tuen Mun 8th 2010–11 n/a 1As Mutual has withdrawn from 2011–12 Hong Kong First Division League, Hong Kong Sapling is formed to replaced.
Records
Unbeaten teams
Since 1945 (i.e. after WWII, when HKFA has held a complete record of the competition), there are 4 teams which have remained unbeaten throughout the whole season.
- Navy B (1945–46)
1945–46 There were 10 teams in the First Division. Navy B finished as 4th with a result of 5 wins, 4 draws and 0 losses. Navy B became the first team to go unbeaten in all league and cup matches in a season.
- South China (1977–78, 1985–86)
1977–78 There were 12 teams in the First Division. South China finished as the Champions with a magnificent result of 20 wins, 2 draws and 0 losses. South China became the first team in the League to go unbeaten in a season. The two drawn matches were against Eastern and Tung Sing.
In 1985–86 there were 2 unbeaten teams in the league. Both South China and Happy Valley topped the league with 10 wins and 8 draws. South China won the league with a goal difference of +21 five goals better than the +16 held by Happy Valley. South China became the first team to hold a record of 2 unbeaten seasons.- Seiko (1978–79)
1978–79 In the season immediately after South China becoming the first unbeaten team, Seiko became the second team which achieved this result. With a slightly poorer result (19 wins and 3 draws) compared to the previous year's South China, Seiko still became the Champion of the season. The draw matches were against Kui Tan, Eastern and Caroline Hill. A more marvellous result for Seiko was that it won 5 out of the 6 competitions that season. The only trophy it failed to get was FA Cup, losing to Yuen Long by penalty kicks.
- Happy Valley (1985–86, 2002–03#)
1985–86 Happy Valley was unbeaten in the season, same as South China (10 wins and 8 draws). However, Happy Valley just claimed the runners-up because a worse goal difference. It became the first unbeaten team which could not gain the title for the season.
2002–03# Actually, according to the league table Happy Valley did not go unbeaten during this season. The 'losing' match was against Fukien. In that match, Happy Valley was originally the winning team. However, it was later discovered that an ineligible player was used during the game. Happy Valley was penalised with a 0–3 loss.- Sun Hei (2002–03)
2002–03 Sun Hei became the fourth team to go the whole season without losing a game in the history of the league. However, they were only able to achieve a second place finish, one point behind Happy Valley.
Top goal scorers
Ho Cheung Yau (Chinese: 何祥友) (Most goals in a season)
- Season: 1957–58
- Number of goals: 40
- Team: South China
- Dale Tempest (Most times winner for Top Goal Scorer prize)
- Winning seasons: 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95
- Total goals: 160
- Played teams: Eastern, South China, Kitchee
- Yuen Kuen To (4 times Top Goal Scorer runner-up)
- Runner-up seasons: 1967–68, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1972–73
Goalkeeper records
References:[7]
Ian Hesford (Longest Clean Sheets)
- Record: 827 min
- Season: 1992–93
- He assisted Eastern to maintain a record of 0 conceded and 9 straight wins in the first 9 matches of 1992–93 season. His record ended when they played the second round match against South China at the 17th minute. The goalscorer was Loh Wai Chi.
Champions
Main article: List of Hong Kong football championsTeam Champions Winning seasons Overall Before WWII After WWII South China 40 9 31 1923–24, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1940–41, 1948–49, 1950–51, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1996–97, 1999–2000, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10 Seiko 9 – 9 1972–73, 1974–75, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85 Happy Valley 6 – 6 1964–65, 1988–89, 1998–99, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2005–06 R.G.A. 5 5 0 1909–10, 1912–13, 1914–15, 1915–16, 1917–18 Eastern 4 0 4 1955–56, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95 Kitchee 4 0 4 1947–48, 1949–50, 1963–64, 2010–11 C.A.A. 3 3 0 1927–28, 1928–29, 1929–30 Sun Hei 3 – 3 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05 Buffs 2 2 0 1908–09, 1910–11 King's Own Rifiles 2 2 – 1911–12, 1922–23 South Welsh Borderers 2 2 – 1931–32, 1933–34 K.M.B. 2 – 2 1953–54, 1966–67 Double Flower (Instant-Dict) 2 – 2 1995–96, 1997–98 D.C.L.I. 1 1 – 1913–14 Royal Engineers 1 1 0 1916–17 Royal Navy 1 1 0 1918–19 HKFC 1 1 0 1919–20 Wiltshire Regiment 1 1 – 1920–21 HMS Curiew 1 1 – 1921–22 East Surrey Regt. 1 1 – 1924–25 Kowloon FC 1 1 – 1925–26 Recreio 1 1 – 1926–27 Ulster Guards 1 1 – 1936–37 Royal Air Force 1 0 1 1945–46 Sing Tao 1 0 1 1946–47 Yuen Long 1 – 1 1962–63 Jardines 1 – 1 1969–70 Rangers 1 – 1 1970–71 See also
- The Hong Kong Football Association
- Hong Kong national football team
- Hong Kong Second Division League
References and notes
- ^ 傳媒報導 - 2006-08-01 羅傑承主政班費千萬增兵 南華搵摩連奴師兄執教, SCAA Fans Club official site, Accessed on October 20, 2007.
- ^ "聯賽長勝軍(上)" (in Chinese). The HKFA website. http://www.hkfa.com/includes_files/board_details.php?news_id=4274.
- ^ "聯賽長勝軍(下)" (in Chinese). The HKFA website. http://www.hkfa.com/includes_files/board_details.php?news_id=4277.
- ^ "甲組神射手回顧(上)" (in Chinese). The HKFA website. http://www.hkfa.com/includes_files/board_details.php?news_id=4220.
- ^ "甲組神射手回顧(下)" (in Chinese). The HKFA website. http://www.hkfa.com/includes_files/board_details.php?news_id=4221.
- ^ "關於歷年一屆入波最多球員一問" (in Chinese). GoalGoalGoal.com. http://www.goalgoalgoal.com/viewthread.php?tid=91046&page=2&fromuid=2479#pid1233165.
- ^ HKFA Webpage (in Chinese)(聯賽不失球紀錄的保持者─希福特)
External links
- (Chinese) The Hong Kong Football Association
- (English) Hong Kong Football
- (English) Club Profiles
Hong Kong football league system - Level 1 Promotion to: None (Top Level)Relegation to: Hong Kong Second Division LeagueHong Kong First Division League 2011–12 teams Biu Chun Rangers · Citizen · Hong Kong Sapling · Kitchee · Sham Shui Po · South China · Sunray Cave JC Sun Hei · TSW Pegasus · Tuen Mun · Wofoo Tai PoFormer teams
(after WWII)25th Coy. S.D., R.A. · 42 Commando · 44 Commando · Army (British Forces) · Aux. Fire Service · Blake Garden · Buffs · Bulova · Caroline Hill · Chinese Athletic · Civilian (A · B) · C.M.B. · Custom · Double Flower (Lai Sun Double Flower · Instant-Dict) · Eastern · Fire Services · Five-One-Seven · Frankwell · Fukien · Happy Valley · Harps · Hong Kong 08 · HKFC · Jardine · K.M.B. · Kui Tan · Kwong Wah · Lanwa (Lanwa Redbull · Sheffield United) · Little Sai Wan · Mackinnons · Mansion · Martini · May Ching · Morning Star · Mutual · Nancheng · Po Chai (Golden · Lai Sun · Michelotti · Sun Hei) · Police · R.A.F. · R.G.A. · Royal Engineers · Royal Innisks · Royal Navy (A · B) · Ryoden · Sai Kung Friends (Sai Kung) · Sea Bee (Ernest Borel · Voicelink) · Seiko · Shatin · Shek Kip Mei (Tuen Mun Progoal · Workable) · Sing Tao · St. Joseph's · Sunray Cave · Telephone · Tin Tin · Tsuen Wan · Tung Sing · Tung Wah · Urban Services · Xiangxue · Xiangxue Eisiti · Yee Hope (Orient & Yee Hope Union) · Yuen LongCompetition Champions · Foreign playersAssociated competitions Hong Kong First Division League seasons 1900s 1908–09 · 1909–101910s 1910–11 · 1911–12 · 1912–13 · 1913–14 · 1914–15 · 1915–16 · 1916–17 · 1917–18 · 1918–19 · 1919–201920s 1920–21 · 1921–22 · 1922–23 · 1923–24 · 1924–25 · 1925–26 · 1926–27 · 1927–28 · 1928–29 · 1929–301930s 1930–31 · 1931–32 · 1932–33 · 1933–34 · 1934–35 · 1935–36 · 1936–37 · 1937–38 · 1938–39 · 1939–401940s 1940–41 · 1941–42† · 1945–46 · 1946–47 · 1947–48 · 1948–49 · 1949–501950s 1950–51 · 1951–52 · 1952–53 · 1953–54 · 1954–55 · 1955–56 · 1956–57 · 1957–58 · 1958–59 · 1959–601960s 1960–61 · 1961–62 · 1962–63 · 1963–64 · 1964–65 · 1965–66 · 1966–67 · 1967–68 · 1968–69 · 1969–701970s 1970–71 · 1971–72 · 1972–73 · 1973–74 · 1974–75 · 1975–76 · 1976–77 · 1977–78 · 1978–79 · 1979–801980s 1980–81 · 1981–82 · 1982–83 · 1983–84 · 1984–85 · 1985–86 · 1986–87 · 1987–88 · 1988–89 · 1989–901990s 1990–91 · 1991–92 · 1992–93 · 1993–94 · 1994–95 · 1995–96 · 1996–97 · 1997–98 · 1998–99 · 1999–002000s 2000–01 · 2001–02 · 2002–03 · 2003–04 · 2004–05 · 2005–06 · 2006–07 · 2007–08 · 2008–09 · 2009–102010s 2010–11 · 2011–12†Suspended seasonFootball in Hong Kong The Hong Kong Football AssociationNational teams League system Domestic cups Interport competitions Guangdong–Hong Kong Cup · Hong Kong–Shanghai Inter Club Championship · Hong Kong–Macau InterportOthers Defunt competitions Viceroy CupTop level football leagues of Asia (AFC) Afghanistan · Australia · Bahrain · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Brunei · Cambodia · China PR · Chinese Taipei · East Timor · Guam · Hong Kong · India · Indonesia · Iran · Iraq · Japan · Jordan · Korea DPR · Korea Republic · Kuwait · Kyrgyzstan · Laos · Lebanon · Macau · Malaysia · Maldives · Mongolia · Myanmar · Nepal · Northern Mariana Islands† · Oman · Pakistan · Palestine: Gaza Strip West Bank · Qatar · Saudi Arabia · Singapore · Sri Lanka · Syria · Tajikistan · Thailand · Turkmenistan · United Arab Emirates · Uzbekistan · Vietnam · Yemen† Provisional Associated MemberCategories:- Hong Kong First Division League
- National association football premier leagues
- Football leagues in Hong Kong
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